"Ends of the Earth" kicks off in March with Amazing Spider-Man #682. This arc is being billed as the next big Spider-Man storyline following Spider-Island, and is coming in a year that also happens to be the 50th anniversary of Spider-Man's debut and will see the release of Amazing #700.

The arc primarily focuses on the return of Doctor Octopus and the Sinister Six, building on plot threads that have been in play for several years. Slott said, "Something that has been building since issue #600 is that Doc Ock is dying. All the terrible things that have happened to him over the years, from fighting Spider-Man to Cap to Hulk to Daredevil to Iron Man, has wrecked his body to the point where, when we saw him in #600, he had months left to live. Since the events of #600, in Marvel time he now has weeks to live. He's got one last shot to do one last, big master plan. He's not just going for an attack on the scientific community or an attack on New York. He's going for the whole thing. He's going for the world. He's stepping up and elevating himself to the point where this is it. It's Otto Octavius' big grab for the greatest master plan of all time."

Amazing Spider-Man #682 interior art

As mentioned, the rest of the Sinister Six factor heavily into the villain's plans. "When you're doing that, you know you're going to run afoul of Spider-Man, the Avengers, and the Marvel Universe. You'd better have people on your side, and that's why he's got the best Sinister Six ever." The Six lineup will initially include Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Chameleon, Rhino, Mysterio, and Electro, but Slott teased that the lineup at the end of the story won't necessarily be the same as the one at the opening.

In the aftermath of Spider-Island, Peter was faced with a choice -- retire as Spider-Man and live a happy life or continue his crusade and face another terrible tragedy in the future. Slott confirmed that this warning will come into play in 2012, though not necessarily during the course of "Ends of the Earth." Slott said, "Something is going to be happening, and that something will happen during Spidey's 50th anniversary. There will be payoff to that."

Amazing Spider-Man #682 interior art

"Ends of the Earth" will be six issues long. Series regular Stefano Caselli will be illustrating the first two and last two issues, with the middle two being handled by yet-to-be revealed artists. Slott referred to these two chapters as "interlude issues," but also noted that they were still vital to the overall story. The arc will follow the format of recent Spider-Man events like New Ways to Die and Grim Hunt in that there will be no external tie-ins. Slott said, "Every now and then, you do one event too many and the fans go 'Nooo!!!'" Slott cited stories like The Kree/Skrull War as examples of major events being contained entirely within the pages of one book.

Slott also teased upcoming storylines leading up to "Ends of the Earth." A two-issue arc will see Peter Parker travel in space and reunite with John Jameson. Slott spoke about the evolving relationship between Peter and ex-girlfriend Carlie Cooper, saying, "The fun thing about Carlie is that she's changed from this character who was the love interest, and now it's like, if Spider-Man is Batman, she's Jim Gordon, but she's his ex. It's a fun relationship for a superhero." Meanwhile, Slott teased the return of the Lizard next summer to coincide with the release of the Amazing Spider-Man movie. "But sadly, no Gwen Stacy rising from the grave."

Amazing Spider-Man #682 interior art

And finally, he warned that Spider-Man will face the consequences of his vow to prevent anymore loved ones from dying. "From now on, whenever he's on the case, no one dies. He's kept to that so far. It's a very unattainable goal, and a very unrealistic one too. So far Spider-Man has kept to that."